E92 M3 - Is it special enough
Discussion
I guess this is a question for the owners on the forum.
I've got a budget for my new toy and it's around the level required for a 1yr to 18month old E92 M3.
This would only be a car I use on weekends / holidays as my daily commute precludes regular use of anything that delivers fuel economy in the 20mpg range so I’m looking for something fun.
But I’ve not really considered the M3 until now as the new one doesn't have the visual wow factor that some of the previous M cars have had. In truth I’m currently most likely to buy a 911(996) Turbo.
While there is no doubt that the M3 is supremely capable, visually I think it looks a bit tame and I was wondering what the general feeling was on this..
Did you buy it as a Q-Car because it was a bit subtle?
Or does it still put a grin on your face every time you drive it?
I've got a budget for my new toy and it's around the level required for a 1yr to 18month old E92 M3.
This would only be a car I use on weekends / holidays as my daily commute precludes regular use of anything that delivers fuel economy in the 20mpg range so I’m looking for something fun.
But I’ve not really considered the M3 until now as the new one doesn't have the visual wow factor that some of the previous M cars have had. In truth I’m currently most likely to buy a 911(996) Turbo.
While there is no doubt that the M3 is supremely capable, visually I think it looks a bit tame and I was wondering what the general feeling was on this..
Did you buy it as a Q-Car because it was a bit subtle?
Or does it still put a grin on your face every time you drive it?
I've had two 996 Turbos before and currently run an E92 M3. In your position I'd go for a well looked after 996 Turbo with a warranty.
The M3 is a great car but I found the Porsche is something different/special and I loved the torque when accelerating, the last one I had was the 'S' spec which has the X50 kit. I bought the M3 as a general all rounder in terms of practicality/performance and fun, all of which it does extremely well and so far without fault.
However, I'd want something a little different to the usual executive looking car for the weekend. So go for the Turbo or if you want something a bit more hardcore a GT3(more fun). Which ever you choose they're all cracking cars.
The M3 is a great car but I found the Porsche is something different/special and I loved the torque when accelerating, the last one I had was the 'S' spec which has the X50 kit. I bought the M3 as a general all rounder in terms of practicality/performance and fun, all of which it does extremely well and so far without fault.
However, I'd want something a little different to the usual executive looking car for the weekend. So go for the Turbo or if you want something a bit more hardcore a GT3(more fun). Which ever you choose they're all cracking cars.
Edited by GameOverMan! on Tuesday 4th August 14:04
GameOverMan! said:
I've had two 996 Turbos before and currently run an E92 M3. In your position I'd go for a well looked after 996 Turbo with a warranty.
The M3 is a great car but I found the Porsche is something different/special and I loved the torque when accelerating, the last one I had was the 'S' spec which has the X50 kit. I bought the M3 as a general all rounder in terms of practicality/performance and fun, all of which it does extremely well and so far without fault.
Howver, I'd want something a little different to the usual executive looking car for the weekend. So go for or Turbo or if you want something a bit more hardcore a GT3(more fun). Which ever you choose they're all cracking cars.
Sound advice there...I love the M3 but can't argue with any of the above.The M3 is a great car but I found the Porsche is something different/special and I loved the torque when accelerating, the last one I had was the 'S' spec which has the X50 kit. I bought the M3 as a general all rounder in terms of practicality/performance and fun, all of which it does extremely well and so far without fault.
Howver, I'd want something a little different to the usual executive looking car for the weekend. So go for or Turbo or if you want something a bit more hardcore a GT3(more fun). Which ever you choose they're all cracking cars.
Edited by GameOverMan! on Tuesday 4th August 13:05
Ive just gone from a 996 turbo to the M3. I find that the M3 is miles ahead in terms of comfort and useability. Its simply more useable more of the time.
The Turbo was a great car but the interior was a bit dated (we are talking almost 10 years now) even though I had the large carbon pack which was a nice touch.
I can have as much fun in the M3 as in the Turbo and I find its as much of a head turner as the porker.
Im loving the growl of a nice V8 up front. The M3 can look mean and aggressive in the right colours. But its each to their own and I know what Id have.
S99ANE
The Turbo was a great car but the interior was a bit dated (we are talking almost 10 years now) even though I had the large carbon pack which was a nice touch.
I can have as much fun in the M3 as in the Turbo and I find its as much of a head turner as the porker.
Im loving the growl of a nice V8 up front. The M3 can look mean and aggressive in the right colours. But its each to their own and I know what Id have.
S99ANE
mat205125 said:
130R said:
996 GT3
This was my first instinctive reply, however your budget must also bring the M6 into the equation too does it not?And thats before mention of the red cog of death..
SittingBull said:
Porshe every time. Certainly for re-sale values. BMW dealerships are having a hard time this year as BMW have become a mainstream "company car" supplier. They have got too big for their boots in the UK & nobody wants a BMW anymore!
Are you crazy 
Since the recession hit Porsche are one of the hardest hit!
You will lose on any newish car, so why not opt for an early M3?
The Turbo is a cracking motor, but it does look very dated now, albeit a classic car
For that sort of budget why don't you get a BMW M5? Granted, it'll be an early model but they'll have been very well looked after (£90,000 when new so owners won't exactly be frugal when it comes to maintenance) and you'll be able to pick one up with an outstanding warranty.
It looks awesome too, comes fully loaded and has that 'exclusive' look and feel that the M3 cannot match.
Get one in interlagos blue with the silverstone leather and you've got yourself something that looks utterly divine.
It looks awesome too, comes fully loaded and has that 'exclusive' look and feel that the M3 cannot match.
Get one in interlagos blue with the silverstone leather and you've got yourself something that looks utterly divine.
Edited by Schermerhorn on Tuesday 4th August 18:14
Schermerhorn said:
For that sort of budget why don't you get a BMW M5? Granted, it'll be an early model but they'll have been very well looked after (£90,000 when new so owners won't exactly be frugal when it comes to maintenance) and you'll be able to pick one up with an outstanding warranty.
It looks awesome too, comes fully loaded and has that 'exclusive' look and feel that the M3 cannot match.
Get one in interlagos blue with the silverstone leather and you've got yourself something that looks utterly divine.
Exactly the step I made, and cannot recommend it enough It looks awesome too, comes fully loaded and has that 'exclusive' look and feel that the M3 cannot match.
Get one in interlagos blue with the silverstone leather and you've got yourself something that looks utterly divine.
Edited by Schermerhorn on Tuesday 4th August 18:14
The M5 is an epic machine, and will keep with the 911 turbo all day long (M6 in the vid, but same performance as the M5) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKCDlQJBZ6s
The M3 is special, not in a bespoke way, but it is special to drive and has a great deal of depth and breadth in handling, ride and noise. A 996 GT3 would be lovely, although harsh if you're driving in town. The 996 will feel old comparatively. If an M5 floats your boat in terms of size then do that, but I think the M3 is more of looker than the 5 variant. Horses for courses and all that..
I did buy it as it was a bit subtle - I love the M3 and it's a great all-rounder, (it's actually doing the car an injustice to suggest that it's only role is as an all rounder it's a really fantastic car). However, as a pure toy, weekend only car, then in your shoes I'd consider something else, perhaps a 996 GT3 - although i don't really like the interior of the 996 personally, there's no doubt that there'd be a much greater sense of occasion in general.
Having said that I'll never get bored with the V8 in the M3, it sounds amazing when it starts up, quiet at low revs and utterly hardcore crazy at 8400RPM
Having said that I'll never get bored with the V8 in the M3, it sounds amazing when it starts up, quiet at low revs and utterly hardcore crazy at 8400RPM
Well after feedback on here I'm thinking I'll have a look at the M3 and see what I think after a test drive.
The M5 and M6 while i'm sure are great cars aren't exactly what I want as I plan on using the car for a couple of track days a year and I don't think they will lend themselves to that.
The M5 and M6 while i'm sure are great cars aren't exactly what I want as I plan on using the car for a couple of track days a year and I don't think they will lend themselves to that.
Slurms said:
Well after feedback on here I'm thinking I'll have a look at the M3 and see what I think after a test drive.
The M5 and M6 while i'm sure are great cars aren't exactly what I want as I plan on using the car for a couple of track days a year and I don't think they will lend themselves to that.
I think you will find the M6 quite capable on a track, with the M5 right behind the M3 only losing marginally on the corners The M5 and M6 while i'm sure are great cars aren't exactly what I want as I plan on using the car for a couple of track days a year and I don't think they will lend themselves to that.
gilford said:
Slurms said:
Well after feedback on here I'm thinking I'll have a look at the M3 and see what I think after a test drive.
The M5 and M6 while i'm sure are great cars aren't exactly what I want as I plan on using the car for a couple of track days a year and I don't think they will lend themselves to that.
I think you will find the M6 quite capable on a track, with the M5 right behind the M3 only losing marginally on the corners The M5 and M6 while i'm sure are great cars aren't exactly what I want as I plan on using the car for a couple of track days a year and I don't think they will lend themselves to that.
E92 M3 Coupe - 8.05
E63 M6 Coupe - 8.09
E60 M5 Saloon - 8.13
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